Aerial toy



Patented May 17, 1932 SOREN S. ADAMS, 0F ASBURY PARK, NEW JERSEY AERIAL TOY Y Application filed =February 23, 1932. Serial No. 594,503.

This invention relatesto an aerial toy and more particularly to a jokers `novelty in the form of Aan aerial toy shaped to simulate abutterfly which is adapted to be selfprojected into the surrounding atmosphere by the opening of an envelope-like device Vor Y folder in which the toy has been previously disposed after the same has been properly wound up.

An object of this invention is to provide an aerial' toy of the above mentioned charv acteristics with a frame of such thinness and Another object of the invention is to materially lighten as well as to augment the rigidity of the parts of an aerial toy of the above mentioned characteristics. i n c In accordance with the general features of this invention there is provided in combination a folder and an aerial toy. adapted to be disposed thereinafter Vthe toy has been wound up and in a position ready to be selfprojected intovthe air the toy/including a relatively'l flat triangular framemade from thin and light sheet material which frame Vis disposed substantially centrally of the toy and has connected toit wing'means withv a y propeller element at oney endof the trianguy lar frame connected to the frame by Vrubber band means arranged to be wound Aby` the turning of the elementto .store up energy for subsequently rotating the element-when the toy is put into use by the opening ofthe folder whereby the toy is self-projected Lout of the folder into the surrounding air or atmosphere. Y, I

Another feature of the invention yrelates to the detailed construction of thevframefofthe toy which enables the frame toV ,bemade of l extremely light material such as aluminum sheet` andyet at the ,same ,timec provides the I frame with sufficient rigidity to withstand pressure and distortion incident to the winding ofy the rubber band meansv connected to the propeller-like element. y

' Other objectsand-features of this invention will more fully appear from the following ing detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings whichillustrate a single embodiment of the aerial toy and in which i Y Figure l is an end view yof one type of folder having anaerial toy of my invention disposed therein Figure 2 is an end view of another type of folder having an aerial toy of my invention disposed therein;

Figure 3 is a plan view of the aerial toy;

Figure 4 is a bottom view of the aerial toy;

Figure 5 is a longitudinal cross sectional view taken on the line V-V lof Figure 3 looking in the direction indicated by the arrows and drawn to an enlarged scale; and

,Figure 6 is a transverse enlarged cross sectional view taken throughl the frame of the toy on the line VI-VI of Figure 4 lookin the direction indicated by the arrows in the drawings. l

The reference'character 10 designates generally anlaerial toy embodying the features of this invention which toy is adapted to be disposed in a folder or envelope device such as the two ply folder 1l shown in Figure l or in an envelope-like device such as the three released vinto the surrounding atmosphere by the opening of the envelope-like device, In other words this invention does not relate per se to the folder but rather relates to thel combination of thefolder or envelope-like device with an aerial toy of my'invention.v

and still more specifically theinvention per` tains tothe construction of the aerial toy itself.` V Y e The aerial toy'of my invention is illustrated indetail in Figures 3, 4, 5, and 6. In generalit includes a triangular frame 15 dis` posed substantially centrally of and connected to wing means 16 and having connected to, onefend thereof a propeller-like element 17, vThe wing means and the propeller-like element Vas will be evident from:

Figures 3 and l are shaped to cause the toy to simulate a butterfly. Of course it Will be appreciated that these elements of the toy may be shaped to simulate other flying creatures or things Without deviating from the spirit of the invention, especially since the invention relates primarily to the construction of the frame '15 so as toenable it tol be Y made of exceedingly light material and yet have sufficient rigidity to withstand pressure thereon and distortion .thereof incident .to the operation and use of the toy. Also it might be noted at this time that the `Wing means 16 is reinforced by a curved Wire strand 18 disposed between the Wing means and-the frame ,'15 and liavingits ends an- Vchored tothe Wing means by meansof adhe- Isive tabs 19 disposed ,overthe ends ofthe strand 18 and glued to the Wing meansproper. The Wing means may be made Ofanysuitable material such lfor example as paper sheet and is preferably glued toathetop of the triangular frame -15 -so as to bepermaa nently secured thereto. Furthermoreas Will be noted from Figures 3 and .4 the :Wingmeans -landvthe propeller-like device 17 may be provided with -suitable ornamentations to cause these elements: as previously noted to give the vtoy a .butterfly appearance.

The frame 15 may be blanked out from any suitable sheet materi-alsuch for example as metallic sheet, brous sheet, phenolic `condensation ymaterialsheet tand-the like. .The

material used however should Zbe as.-light and thin as is feasible so as "to enable the toy to have the desired lightness .necessary for itspropulsion throughtheair. V.I'have found that good results may tbe obtainedby making this frame of.thin aluminum sheet 'which materialis not only light butisquite workable. The frame may beblanked :from such sheet materia-l by any suitable lequipment such for exaniple'asapunch or-kicker press. l

Further bymaking the frame in y.accordance with the features of this inventioniI nd that I can use material lWhichfis-so thin and light vthat VWithout some reinforcing `or strengthening means the frame Would buckle or distort when subjected to any pressure such asis imposed on it by the winding ofthe propellerlike element. rllierefore in order to prevent, such buckling ordistortion ofthe Y frameandyet enable it to have aminimum Weight` I reinforcefthis frame byiibbing or corrugating it at the-same timelas the frame 4is blanked out of the sheet material. lribbing or corrugation isfclearly shown in Figures 4 and 6 andis designated by the ref- .This

erence numeral 20. Moreoverfthis `ribbing v20 extendsiarouiid the entire frame so that the frame is strengthened both transversely vand longitudinally. Of courseit is evident that by providing tliebase end of the triangularyframe With ribbing V.as Well asl the .element .17 l(f'Figu-re i6).

plurality of glass beads 28 Which serve to spacethe propeller-element from the end of -theframe v.andto V.preventbinding of that element on the .frame and ,interference With .the .free rotation of the element after it has been Wound.

The innermost kend of .the =Wire shaft22 isturned back upon itself .at 24 to form an .eyeadaptedto receive oneendof the rubber band.means.25the. otherend of Which is 'looped over a tang 26 punched outfrom -the .bodyof the frame proper. This tang l26 is downwardly oset relative to the frame. It however-is notlaterally offset to such-an extent as to materially interfere with the flat .characteristicsof `the frameso that the toy including fthe yframe maybe disposed in a .relatively :Hat position within a folder such aseitheronef of the Yfolders 11 or 12.

Furthermore one ormore rubber bands .may be used `to comprise .the rubber band means depending .upon ,the strength -of the .frameand theamount of force desired Vvto.rotate.thepropeller device 17. ,I have at- `tained excellentresultsby using tWo small `rubbenbands as. shovvnin the drawings.

.Inthe use of the device thelpropeller-like element17 isrotatedto Wind the rubberband .means25 and this ,maybe accomplished by turning :the element-,.17 fifty or sixty times. .Thereafter the device is llaidin a substanttially flatfposition Within the enclosing envelopeor folder ready .for use. The folder maybe l*disposed inanother envelope or `it ,may be used as a place card on a dinner table 1in .Whicheventthe 'foldermay be held shut by placing. something on it such for example as afspoon, fork or napkin.

It `Will-ofcourse be appreciated that as .soon as the folder iscaused to be opened the Wound up propeller element 17 projects the .aerial toy bodily into the surrounding atmospliere much .to the. surprise of the person -Openingthe folder.

I' have found 4from my experience in marketing and selling devices of the present charac terv thatfthey have met With much success las .a jokers novelty. They may be sent through the mail or ,they may be used'as place cards at dinnerpartiesbut in either .eventthey `perform -substantially the same -andmuch to thesurprise of the recipient.

Now it is of course to be understood that although I have illustrated and described in detail the preferred embodiment of the invention the invention is not to be thus limited but only insofar as defined by the scope and spirit of the appended claim.

I claim as my invention:

As an article of manufacture, an aerial toy7 includinga frame, Wing means connected thereto with said frame substantially centrally thereof, a propeller-like element at one end of said frame, and means connected to said frame arranged to be Wound by the turning of said element, said frame being made of such thin sheet material as to require a depressed portion in the saine to give it suilicient rigidity to resist distortion When in use in the toy and being triangular in shape With the legs of the triangle reenforced by longitudinal ribs formed therein.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed mby name at Asbury Park, Monmouth County, ew Jersey.

SOREN S. ADAMS. 

